Rain doesn't put a damper on our fun!!

Tonight was scheduled to be our local Adopters group bonfire night. But, mother nature had other ideas with a full weekend of rain on the schedule. So, after watching the weather closely day after day, it was decided late last week to make a change of venue, thereby not allowing the weather to stop us. Seth and Jill Zimmerman stepped in to save the day, being so gracious and volunteering their lovely home to save the party. So, the bonfire became an indoor party with the only fire being the grill. Hugh was the grill master while our favorite pyros Seth and Eammon stood by and provided moral support! We had a large turnout with 38 people in attendance, many familiar faces with a couple of new ones too. The children were so well behaved, they all played, ate and had fun together.

Hard to believe that I, yes me, forgot to pull out my camera until most of the people had already left!! Must have been those two sips of champagne, made me silly and tipsy!

We had a beautiful table laden with food. Perfectly gilled burgers and dogs, potato, pasta and Greek salads, chips, chips and more chips all waiting to be dunked into one or more of the fabulous dips, queso, 7-layer Mexican, veggie and spinach-artichoke-cheese...All fabulous! Desserts, OMG! Eclairs, chocolate mousse-filled chocolate puffs, raspberry and custard napolians, chocolate creme-filled roll-ups, a chocolate cream cheese cake, fresh fruit tart, fresh fruit with a luscious raspberry cream, a wonderful chocolate capuccino trifle and cupcakes. The spread was unbelievable as we have some excellent cooks in our group.

Rain, didn't bother us at all. The evening proved to be lots of fun and a wonderful time for everyone.

Julie, Elizabeth & Jill
Charleigh and Bubba Jr. practice their camera skills.
Eammon and Mia singing together on the swing.
Nan & Tully
The big boys.
Slayden being tired and shy.
Such good children.
Eammon practicing, reading a final bedtime story to Mia.

Thank you Jill and Seth for stepping in and hosting, it was a blast!!

Let's talk food

Since there's no new news on the adoption front, other than Daphne and Greg should only be a few hours away from touch down in Hong Kong, (it's almost Fubo time!!) I've decided that I'm going to share some of my adventures in food. Of course I have been doing that all along, but now it gives me something to focus on other than referral rumors.

So today I met Trixie for a "quick" three and a half hour lunch at one of my favorite lunch places, where I enjoyed a delicious fried green tomato sandwich and Trixie made a shrimp po'boy "healthy" by ordering it on whole grain bread! We were two of the first customers when they opened and by the time we left, the kitchen staff was eating lunch. Our lunch ran so late, that I barely had time to stop at the grocery for final dinner ingredients.

Eammon and I both have been feeling somewhat under the weather, fighting off the plague or whatever it is infecting everyone. So in an attempt to avoid my annual bronchitis and Barry White sound-a-like voice, I decided the best thing for us was to sweat out whatever evil lurks within us, with hot peppers and of course chicken soup. For the best of both, I made one of our favorite soups, Tom Kha Gai. We both enjoyed the soup but it's funny how we each experienced the heat of the peppers. I thought the soup had a little kick and it made my lips tingle. Eammon on the other hand realized the full sweat factor, making a lovely dinner partner stripped down to his boxers, wiping his brow with a towel. Hey, if the soup doesn't cure me, having dinner with a handsome half naked man sure works wonders!

Tom Kha Gai
Spicy Thai Chicken Soup with Coconut Milk

4 c. chicken broth
1 T. lemon grass, fresh minced
3 T. Thai fish sauce
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 T. fresh grated ginger
3 Serrano peppers, thinly sliced into rounds
2 tsp. chili-garlic sauce
juice of 4 limes
2 (14 oz.) cans coconut milk
2 chicken breasts, boned, skinned and sliced thinly
1 (10 oz.) can straw mushrooms, drained
1/2 c. cilantro, chopped

In a stockpot, bring the chicken broth, lemon grass, fish sauce, garlic, ginger, Serrano peppers, chili-garlic sauce and juice of 4 limes to a boil. Stirring, add the coconut milk and bring to a simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and add chicken allowing it to cook through in the hot liquid. Add the drained mushrooms and the cilantro.

Check it out

I just listed some new items on eBay, including this Kecci Diaper bag. Check it out, Baby S still needs new shoes!

I love you!! (updated with recipe)

I am all set for Valentine's day tomorrow with plenty of sweets. Last year Eammon's office mates got heart shaped brownies but this year, I hope they're in the mood for lemon.

I made cupcakes, filled with my luscious (in my humble opinion) home made lemon curd and then topped with a pink lemon glaze and a Sweetheart. I could O.D. on these as I love lemon curd...almost as much as chocolate!! Hmmm...may need to make some chocolate cupcakes with lemon curd filling and they might remind me of these.

Remember, there are many ways to say I love you and next year I'll be saying them all to Baby S!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I've had numerous requests for this recipe, so here it is:

Love Cakes filled with Lemon Curd

Make your favorite white cake recipe (box or scratch) as cupcakes. Fill the cup papers only half way as you need room in the cups to add the glaze later. Bake and cool completely.

Lemon curd recipe is here, make and cool completely. Or you can use store bought.

Put cooled lemon curd in a piping bag fitted with a large open star tip. From the top center of each cupcake, insert the tip and squeeze in a small amount of lemon curd.

I don't have a recipe or amounts, but the glaze is just icing sugar, lemon extract, some food coloring and water. Just mix to a thick glaze and spoon quickly on to top of cakes so that it settles nice and smooth. If the icing starts to get too thick, thin with a little more water. Allow icing to dry at room temp. for a few hours. Refrigerate.

If you make these delicious cakes, be sure to post pics and let me know how they turn out.

Enjoy!!

Man plans, God laughs

Today is the six month anniversary of our log in date with CCAA. Officially, we started the adoption process for Baby S a full year and 3 days ago! After months of research, we finally chose and submitted our application to CCAI on February 7, 2005. At that time, we anticipated that we would have our little girl by February '06 and be a family of three. But here it is, February 2006 and no little girl in sight.

During the paper chase we had a few delays with getting some of the paperwork from England thus, getting our dossier submitted and logged in at CCAA took a little longer than anticipated. But, based on what was happening with referrals we were at least, still on track to get our referral by February '06. In my mind, everything was set. Travel to China in the spring of '06 where we wouldn't have to worry about winter clothes, wouldn't sweat our butts off...Perfect! Have little Baby S for 7 or 8 months, working to get her adjusted and into a routine before it was time to whisk her off to Aruba in December for a few weeks of beach, sun and fun. Then we would follow that with a trip to England in the Spring of '07 to meet and see Eammon's Mum and family.

Well who knows what the timeline is now and I have given up tying to plan. Why? Because someone is having a giant belly laugh... I planned and look what happened!

Julie is the bomb!!

Today I had a long morning at my rheumatologist's office, why it always takes so long there is beyond me. I then did a little shopping and found an awesome little gift for one of my secret pals. There was a huge sale happening so I bought Eammon, I don't even know how many, new shirts for work. Then I popped into Eatzi's to pick up something quick for lunch. Even well beyond lunch time, Eatzi's was still quite crowded. I couldn't decide if I wanted a salad, sandwich, something hot, cold, sweet or savory. So I wandered around looking at everything and mindlessly tasted all the samples they had out. By the time I trekked around and checked everything out making sure to taste all the samples...at least once, I realized that I wasn't hungry anymore and left without buying anything! Bad girl, bad girl!!

Traffic coming home was awful and I was happy when I finally pulled onto my street. Then when I pulled into the driveway, I saw a package at our front door. I thought it must be from one of my secret pals, but then I saw the return address, it was a package from Julie. Oh how cool, what a treat! Why I wondered, was the Goddess of all things crafty sending something to me? Well she sent a thank you gift because I organized and ran the August Yahoo dtc Secret Pal Swap. It really wasn't necessary, but Oh my gosh, I was dancing around the kitchen with the stuff because I LOVE it. Check out the giraffe, the giraffe dress and the wonderful card that she made. Does she have me and my love of giraffes pegged. Julie you are the bomb. Thank you!!

The sky is falling, the sky is falling!

Looking out my back door I saw this funny white stuff falling from the sky. I'm sure that panic grocery shopping has begun as we had almost five full minutes of this freak storm before it all turned to rain. Oh my gosh, do I have milk, ice cream, chocolate...it may snow again and we may never be able to get the essentials!!!

Worse than trying on bathing suits!

That's how I feel about buying a new purse. I need a purse that's fun, not too big, not too small. Something that can go with any outfit (not that I change purses or outfits if they don't match) just something that reflects my personality. I've been carrying my favorite monkey purse on and off for about three years and it's just time for something new. I have a whole list of criteria, but two of the biggest are, it can't be too expensive and it definitely can't be advertising the designer's name or initials. If designers or companies want me to advertise for them, let them pay me to carry their purse!

So today after much searching and debating, I did end up purchasing two bags. I'm not sure if I'm going to keep either of these or maybe I'll keep both...still to be decided. Pictured are my purchases for your viewing pleasure and your critique. What do these bags say to you and what personality do they reflect?


One purchase that I will be keeping is the Mamas and Papas Giant Activity Toy, Lotty Ladybird. I got it for a steal at T. J. Maxx, mark down on top of mark down on top of mark down!



This baby is huge, it is pictured on a queen size bed! It has so many different textures, patterns and colors, I'm enjoying playing with it. Each leg makes crinkle sounds, one of the spots flips open to reveal a baby safe mirror and the hat flips forward to reveal a large mirror and a cute ladybug and leaf applique. The flowers on the antennae squeak and rattle. I also love the mini ladybug rattle, with a mirror on the tummy, it hides in one of the big ladybug's legs.

Pink sky in morning sailors take warning

This was the view from our dock around 7 a.m. So tell me why does such a lovely morning sky lead to such a lousy overcast, rainy day. Guess the cold, gray day was an excuse for me to clean out my pantry and get rid of ~~>
Why you may ask am I throwing them out? Because the little cookie monsters are in the neighborhood selling again. Which means, these little morsels are at least a year old and I fear that one of the boxes of Thin Mints is from 2004!

Come on, baby needs a new pair of shoes!

In my effort to make room for all of Baby S's clothing and also so that I can start purchasing shoes and toys, I have succumbed and am now cleaning out my stash and selling off all sorts of fun and whimsical items. Please take some time and check out my listings on eBay.

Thanks!

Ladybugs and nightmares

Yesterday I made a ladybug cake for my friend Daphne and if I do say so myself, I think it turned out quite adorable. But let me tell you, the swarms of ladybugs that invaded my dreams last night were quite horrible.

The dreams reminded me of when I was a child and I was terrified of butterflies. Everyone thinks butterflies are so pretty, so colorful, but those bodies ewwww, creepy...I do not like bugs! So when I was a little girl, I was afraid that there would be butterflies in my room at night and that they would "get me", my own personal, bizarre monsters. To get me to bed each night and so that I would be safe, my Mom would spray my room with butterfly killer, a.k.a. room deodorizer. I remember one night though when she sprayed with a different scent, as she had used up the first can, and I called her out on it. That wasn't my butterfly killer!! She was quick though, as she had found stronger, longer lasting butterfly killer that didn't need to be used every night...Smart aye? I guess the butterfly killer worked as my room was not only butterfly free, but it was also the best smelling room in the neighborhood!

Minua Rakastan Sinua

Sometimes when Eammon wants to tell me something privately he will either use Cockney or if it's numbers or one of the few words that I know, he'll say it in Finnish. Often he'll tell me that he loves me in Finnish, Minua Rakastan Sinua. So, that got me thinking about how to say I love you in other languages, specifically Mandarin, Wo ie ni. Here's a site where we can learn how to say I love you in dozens of languages.

I know that there's lots of love in the air. Congratulations to all the April Pandas and Mei Dreams who received their referral this week.

Way too weird

A while back I ordered Leap of Faith : Memoirs of an Unexpected Life by Queen Noor, our next neighborhood book club book, as a used book through eBay and when it arrived I set it aside. Well I finally opened the book and found the invoice tucked just inside the front cover. I then started flipping though the pictures in the center of the book and found a folded up piece of paper. I pulled it out and look what it was! Weird, too weird.

Hat-trick Friday

The postman must have thought it my birthday with all the packages arriving today, all for me, me, me!! OK, mostly for Baby S, but *I* got to open them. All three of my secret pals sent wonderful gifts this month with the swap theme being Chinese New Year.

My July dtc pal was very creative and sent this beautiful National Geographic Wall Map of China along with items for Baby S's scrapbook, stickers, coins and confetti. I am going to get the map framed and then when we get our referral, we'll be able to look up at the map and find where our daughter is located.

The next box was *huge*, coming up as high as my knees so I just knew that it was from my CCAI August/September Pal. Sure enough, the box was just full of wonderful items. The Disney crib toy set is adorable and I keep pressing on Pooh's hunnypot listening to it play the music that goes along with "Winnie the Pooh, Winnie the Pooh. Tubby little cubby all stuffed with fluff. He's Winnie the Pooh, Winnie the Pooh." Then there's Eeyore, awwww.... everybody loves Eeyore...and Tigger too!! She also included a beautiful vase, a fun, super soft ladybug pillow, a coordinating frame to the one she sent last month (which I had almost missed,) some chopsticks and check out the wine bottle qipao...how cute is that!!! The funniest thing though was a note she included so I would be sure to find all the wonderful things she included this month.

To complete my wonderful day of gifts, my August dtc pal went with a Year of the Dog theme with this fabulous Scotty dog dress with little heart buttons and check out the hearts on the back...soooo cute!

She also sent aCD which says Happy New Year, The Spring Festival Music Collection. I am looking forward to listening to it!

Thank you to all three of my wonderful secret pals. I love all the interesting, fun and beautiful items that you send each month. I'll be sorry when these swaps end but I am looking forward to finding out the names of my fabulous pals.

Local Adopters descend on Chinese restaurant

Last night was our local adopters monthly get-together. Forty two people gathered at Classic Gourmet for an evening of fun, laughs, conversation and lots of food. It was so nice to visit and talk with those we've met before as well as the first-time attendees. We were all excited to meet Charleigh, the first and only child thus far, since our group started, that has joined her forever family. She charmed everyone, spent lots of time on my lap and gave wonderful hugs. We also got to share in the excitement over the referral of Emily, checking out all of her pictures and reports from China.

At the restaurant, we had a private room and the children were able to play with one another, blowing, chasing and popping bubbles. All the children were so well behaved and Jack was a star, keeping all the younger kids occupied with their bubbles and cars. The best eater award goes to Max Z. who must have visited the buffet line no less than a dozen time with at least that many trips again to the soft serve machine.

Quote of the night:
"You're never too old for bubbles!"
From the wisdom of Jack.

Billy, Jack & Heather

Angela & Jay

Keegan, Stephanie & Dave

Jill, Charleigh, Mia, Tracy & Laine

Bonnie & Bubba Jr.

Boys & their beer

Brad & Laura

Bubba Jr., Lisa & Charleigh

Ilene & Michael

Julie, Daphne & Cindy

Charleigh & Sonia

Rob, Deb & Noah

Dave & Jodi

Cindy & Brent

So Sweet

Today my mailbox contained a package from my girlfriend Joanna and her children. Rachel, Sarah and Benjamin each sent a wish and Sarah made a special quilt square for Baby S's book. Thanks Grosz family!

Neglect

My car has been having a few problems lately so I finally broke down (me, not the car) and dropped it off at the shop. After taking a look at my poor, old, 1991 Volvo, Palmer the shop owner called to ask a few questions and let me know what needed to be done.


Palmer (with his Jamaican accent): Ma'am when was the last time you had a tune-up?

Me: Ummm... {hedging} I don't really remember. {thinking I don't want to tell him that I haven't had one since moving to Georgia in 1998}

Palmer: You need new spark plugs, a distributor cap and a rotor. Do you remember when they were changed?

Me: Aren't they original to the car?

Palmer: Oh my. The air filter needs to be changed too.

Me: Oh! {delighted with myself because I remember having this done "recently"} I had that changed two oil changes ago. It needs to be done already?

Palmer: Yes Ma'am it's dirty and not seated properly. It's allowing leaves and debris into the lines so those too need to be cleaned out. When was your last oil change?

Me: Ummm, gosh I don't remember, let me look it up. {shuffling through papers} Oh, December 29, 2004!

Palmer: Well Ma'am, you're due for an oil change.

Me: OK yeah, it's probably needed at this point. Oh, I had a new battery put in the car in November '04 and the radio hasn't worked since because I don't have the code, is it possible to get that code?

Pathetic, I know!

Let me stop here and say in my own defense, since December '04 I've only put 3,119 miles on my car. So, I'm not way over due on the mileage for an oil change, but yes I know, over due on time. Also, since I drive so little, most of the time I honestly don't even notice that there's no radio. {Yes Daphne, I know that alone would have you in the market for a new vehicle!}

Driving my car home from the shop today with it's tune-up and all of it's new parts, it felt like a new car. I'm $160 lighter, but Palmer did say that my car should last at least another 10 years. I love my old Volvo, so the thought of having it for years to come and the idea of no car payments, made me very happy.

I should be giddy...but...

Today we have been logged in with CCAA for five full months. According to our original timeline, we should be about one month away from referral and seeing Baby S's picture. Instead I'm thinking that we are *maybe* at the halfway point of our wait. I'm trying to be positive, I still have many things to do before Baby S's arrival, but I could complete them or pass them over if I could get my baby now!! I wish that CCAA could just give a month when we will get our referral and then the there would be a date to look forward to. They know how many dossiers they've received for each month, they know how many they can process and match each month. So, based on those numbers, why can't they give us something more than they do?

Whinge...complain...grizzle...moan...

Our day at USCIS

Back in April, in addition to all the adoption paperwork, Eammon filed with USCIS his N-400 "Application for Naturalization". In just over a week, they cashed our $330 check and told us not to expect to hear anything, for a period of, no less than 450 days! Surprisingly, we got a notice from them in early November saying that Eammon's Citizenship test would be on Monday, January 9, 2006.

So today we spent hours at the MLK building, with thousands of other people waiting and waiting. Eammon was *finally* called in for his , asked 7 questions about U.S. history and the government, given an English test consisting of reading and writing two simple sentences, asked a few "moral character" questions and then was told he passed!! So soon we should receive form N-445 "Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony", make our final trip to the MLK building where he will become a U.S. citizen!

Here you can take a version of the test.

While sitting in the office waiting for him, I realized that all the adoption paper work has been submitted obviously using his U. K. Passport. It now appears that he should have his U.S. passport before we travel for Baby S! He will have dual U.S./U.K. citizenship, but I guess I need to find out if we need to make any changes or do anything special before we travel. Has anyone else been in this situation. Guess I need to make a few inquiries.

Can't teach this old dog new tricks

My brain has been uncooperative and said a big fat N - O to Monovision. After four days of unrelenting nausea, headaches, winking and blinking I returned to the eye doc to say that my brain was not figuring out which eye to see out of and I would succumb to using reading glasses when necessary. So now I am the old fart proud owner of over-the-counter +1.0 vision readers.

Welcome Emily Faith!!

Congratulations Daphne & Greg on your beautiful new daughter. Can't wait to give her a big snuggle and put all those ribbons in her hair!

A big congrats to all the other lucky folks with LID's from April 15 - April 24 2005, who received their referral.

My new friend...wink, wink

Today I lunched with fellow blogger and Mom-to-be Trixie. We met at one of my favorite lunch spots where we sat for hours chatting and having a good time. It wasn't until my tush felt like it turned to lead that we vacated the table and went on our way. I love meeting local adoptive Moms, especially when they are so much fun...and don't take offense at all my winking!

Update on Monovision: Day 2, headache: yes, clear vision: no, number of people who probably think I'm flirting with them: way too many!

Flirting idiot

Just so you know, it's official I'm getting old. Today I went to the eye doctor for my annual eye/contact lens exam and also to be checked as I have been having difficulty reading labels and small print up close. The doctor checked my vision and said that my distance vision is the same and hasn't really changed in 20 years, but said that I now need reading glasses. She said that I could get a pair of over the counter magnifying glasses or I could try what they call Monovision. I opted for the latter and now have my distance prescription in my right eye and a different prescription in my left eye so that I can read things up close. My brain hurts as it is trying to adapt and "learn" to see with the eye best suited for the task.

Driving home, all the other drivers must have thought I was flirting with them as I kept winking, trying to look out of my distance eye for the road and my up close eye for other things...OK, I looked like an idiot... Everything is blurry; up close, distance and mid-range. The headache is there but I don't want to pull out the lenses because that will make tomorrow worse as my already fried brain tries to learn something new.